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California

Surfridge

A heron hunts for a meal next to an abandoned road inside the "ghost town" south of LAX that was once was the Surfridge community.

A heron hunts for a meal next to an abandoned road inside the “ghost town” south of LAX that was once was the Surfridge community.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

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Rare butterflies and other creatures thrive at the site of the Surfridge community, which was all but wiped out by LAX about 50 years ago. The California Coastal Commission recently approved a $3-million plan to restore the natural habitat on portions of 48 acres at the northern end of the old subdivision as part of a settlement of a lawsuit over LAX expansion plans.

Abandoned street

LAX Airport Environmental Manager Robert Freeman walks on an abandoned street of the old Surfridge subdivision. Some of the streets, curbs, foundations and utilities visible to neighbors will be removed.   (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

Jogging

A jogger makes his way along a path just outside the Surfridge site.   (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

Wildlife

A wild fox pauses during a prowl through the restoration site.   (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

LAX jet

An airliner takes off from LAX. It was the jet age that spelled the end of the Surfridge community in the 1960s.   (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

Street relic

A manhole cover rusts in the pavement of an abandoned street in Surfridge.   (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

Sunset

A helicopter seems to emerge from the setting sun at in a view from Surfridge.   (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

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